Recipe of the Week: Homemade Hamburger Helper

When I left high school, I went straight to work in restaurants. Unlike my siblings who left home to study at university, I was surrounded by good food and never went hungry. Then, as now, many students moved away from home barely knowing how to heat a can of soup, let alone eat well on a budget. This recipe is for them and other cash-strapped reluctant cooks, as well as families looking for an easy recipe that the kids will (probably) love!

Abridged from Cooking Meat

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp                   salt (divided)
1 Tbsp                               olive oil or vegetable oil
1                                        medium onion, cut in medium dice
½ tsp                                  pepper
2                                         garlic cloves, finely diced
1 pound                              ground beef
1 Tbsp                                paprika
1 pound                              pasta of your choice (small noodles work best)
1 (10 ounces) can              chopped tomatoes
2 Tbsp                                tomato paste
3 Tbsp                                sour cream
1 cup                                  grated cheddar cheese
½ bunch                             green onion, chopped

Method

1. Fill a large pot with water, add the 1 Tbsp of salt, and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. While the water is coming to a boil, set your biggest frying pan over medium heat and add the oil. When it’s hot, add the 1 tsp of salt, the onions, and pepper. Turn down the heat to low, cover the pan, and allow the onions to cook, stirring every minute or so, for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes.
3. Add the beef, then turn up the heat to medium. Using a spoon, mash the beef with a spoon so it browns all over. Stir in the paprika and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes or until the beef is no longer red.
4. When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta, stir, and cook according to the directions on the package until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. Stir the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste into the beef mixture and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
6. Stir the sour cream into the beef mixture and turn down the heat to low. Stir until the beef is well coated and saucy, then add the drained pasta and cheese, stirring well to allow the cheese to melt into the sauce.
7. To serve, scoop the hamburger helper into a large serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped green onions.